Jenny's Cello Studio

A Riverton Utah Cello Studio

Main Content

Learn · Play · Perform

Start Learning

A life long trained cellist and a 20 year teacher, Jenny Downs is currently teaching in the southwest area of Salt Lake County, Utah. She has experience teaching preschool-adult students, beginners and transfer students as well.
Read More

Are You Looking for a Cello Teacher in Salt Lake or Northern Utah County?

Click here to Contact Jenny Today.

Welcome Cellists!

I am happy and grateful to have settled and built a full cello studio in the southwest area of the Salt Lake Valley over the past 10+ years. I focus on exemplary technique, tone, and expressiveness as well as performance confidence and opportunity. But more important I aim to provide positive experiences, positive feedback, and a positive self image. I believe as Sinichi Suzuki taught that, “Our aim needs to be the nurturing of children. The moment we rigidly convince ourselves, “Education is what we’re after,” we warp a child’s development. -1- First foster the heart, then help the child acquire ability. This is indeed nature’s proper way.”

Read More

@jennydownscello
319 Posts
1.7K Followers

Jenny | Cello Teaching with 🤍

🎶~💙I Teach Music Through Cello
🎶~💙Cello Choir🤍Suzuki🤍String Quartet
🎶~💙Practice Strategies🤍Beautiful Creation
🎶~💙Mother/Daughter Music

Follow on Instagram
9
0

Came home one night and she said, “Guess what I did today?” So here is her practice tip.
#practicetips #practice #musiclessons #becoming #suzuki

3
1

Wild huh? 🤔 Musicians…do your scales!
#musician #cellolife #schoolorchestra #habits #musicmakestheworldgoround

5
0

#daughters #galentines #notsoartsy #poppi

91
11

The athlete kid, who hated taking piano lessons as a kid(therefore was short lived)- asked me to teach him piano this week. Told me 15 min a day. On day...

13
5
Should I keep going? Scales get a bad rap. We don’t like them (by we I mean student musicians). But they are the literal building block of music. Repertoire is the house. Scales are the bricks. #scales #musiceducation #cellists #practicetips #buildingblocks
4
0

Should I keep going?
Scales get a bad rap. We don’t like them (by we I mean student musicians). But they are the literal building block of music. Repertoire is...

6
0

#celloteacher #atomichabits #memory #leftbeforeright #wins

22
2

Allow me to reintroduce myself.

What started as a passion turned into a career… and somewhere along the way, a mission. #cellolife #theyeariturn50 #momlife #celloteacher #musicforthesoul

3
0

But what does that even mean??
Thousands of notes?
Hundreds of mistakes?
Days I didn’t want to practice?
Moments I almost quit? Partially—- but it’s also leaving everything you’ve got,...

9
1

Currently accepting donations to send me back to Hawaii. 🌴 But, I mean, we did hit 60 degrees in February here in Utah, so… I’m pretty sure Hawaii tried to...

21
2

Made a video of photos. Look at this very non tech savvy girl go.
#photos #makingreels #havingfun #winterbeach #sunshine

And not just sorta. Like immediately 😬😬😬 . It’s ok though. That’s one of the reasons we have someone to keep pushing and prodding us along the journey. The consistency can be harder than the instrument. We’re learning more than just music here. #practicehabits #consistencyiskey #musicmakers #wegotthis #keeponkeepingon
17
4

And not just sorta. Like immediately 😬😬😬 .
It’s ok though. That’s one of the reasons we have someone to keep pushing and prodding us along the journey. The consistency...

I’m really interested in the effects of music on the body and brain. I wonder if playing cello is the reason my resting heart rate is under 50bpm. It was actually while listening to a podcast on insulin and how cortisol is spiked by stress that I went searching for what these “stresses” are that raise it. Turns out life is one big stress fest… But activities that engage the parasympathetic system help to regulate and lower. (Breathing, rest, etc…) And certain types of music are one of these regulators as well. Music- keeping me alive and giving me nervous system therapy. #musictherapy #parasympathetic #musiceducation #musicismedicine #musicforthesoul
16
2

I’m really interested in the effects of music on the body and brain.
I wonder if playing cello is the reason my resting heart rate is under 50bpm.
It was...

15
4

Be steady for them. The work is settling in. #highperformance #kidsworld #sportskids #musickids #parents

21
6

What feels boring or tedious or insignificant today
becomes ease later.
#keepgoing #practice #itsthelittlethingsthatcount #sportsandmusic #suzukistrings

Over the past handful of years I have made small changes to the way I set up my lessons as well as slowly added different options for a growing number of different needs. Weekly 1-1 lessons are the model we are used to, and the one I still subscribe to as the optimal learning experience for most young learners. But, I don’t just teach the the optimal young student, that has the funds, the dedicated family support, the same learning style or abilities, the same goals and drive. I teach returning to the cello adults, new cello adults, kids with learning disabilities, families with limited funds (yes, cello isn’t cheap-the instrument or a highly trained teacher), cellists with hectic or unpredictable schedules. I’ve added different modalities of learning. And most recently, as I’ve thought about how to reach the hundreds of kids who start in their school orchestras, but can’t commit either time or $ to private lessons, I’ve come up with options to help them and others who just need occasional help. My weekly 1-1 lessons are typically always full. These other options help get some started while they are waiting for that optimal spot. It’s been tricky unwiring my brain to the one way I’ve known, but guess what? Cello is actually becoming increasingly popular. Most of the best teachers here in the valley are booked solid. So these changes and options began when I considered how to make my reach go a little further. No cello teacher wants to turn away another human wanting to play the best instrument ever made. But we have to, because there’s only so many hours in a day. The Practice Space has been really great for some of my students to have all their assignments and videos in one accessible place. I’ve also had a couple of which this isn’t their ideal learning situation. So we pivoted to a different option. But it’s another option if you are remote- literally anywhere in the world- because the clock doesn’t determine lesson time. I’m happy with what my offerings have the ability to reach and do for up and coming cellists. And yes, my life is a myriad of spreadsheets 🤣. #cellolife #musiceducation #homeschooloptions #learnsomethingnew
30
4

Over the past handful of years I have made small changes to the way I set up my lessons as well as slowly added different options for a growing number...

21
6

5 months in, this 9 year old brought me his dad’s favorite piece to add to the mix. 🤣🤣 . OK rhythm wizard, let’s do it! This is after 1...

Have you ever made yourself aware of how often you judge or find fault with people throughout 1 day? Warning: 😬 it’s eye opening. When we aren’t aware, we can spiral into assumptions that harden the heart and call them truth. Here’s your invitation to observe. #love #healing #godislove #judgement #openheart
20
2

Have you ever made yourself aware of how often you judge or find fault with people throughout 1 day? Warning: 😬 it’s eye opening. When we aren’t aware, we can...

When the skill is new but the belief shows up first. #confidencefirst #beginnermusician #studentwins #teacherlıfe #musiclessons
32
7

When the skill is new but the belief shows up first. #confidencefirst #beginnermusician #studentwins #teacherlıfe #musiclessons

56
14

He’s 20!! If you know Cy you probably love him. He’s the best of the best. Go wish him a happy birthday today or write it here and I’ll share...

24
4

Comparison slows learning. • • one person’s tone improves first
• another’s intonation clicks later
• someone else just grew six inches and has to re-learn balance. You don’t see...

15
2

“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
We all know, consistency is key. But somehow that’s often the hardest part.
Just...

Teaching cello has taught me a universal truth… we all try to go faster or do more- when what actually moves us forward is slowing down and doing less, well. #cellotruths #wisdomoftheday #universaltruth #dailydose #practicetips
19
1

Teaching cello has taught me a universal truth… we all try to go faster or do more- when what actually moves us forward is slowing down and doing less, well....

33
2

Do the right thing Utah.
@govcox @utahlegislaturestaff @aclu_utah @utahparentcenter @lcpd_utah #utahlegislature #disabilityawareness #dspd #dotherightthing

Over the years of raising a child with disabilities in the school system…supports, resources, and opportunities increased tremendously over the time he was small to just a few years ago, when he aged out at 22. The changes and rights and supports by the end of his journey through school seemed almost miraculous. I felt blessed to have all the things the state of Utah has done to make huge strides. Now they are looking at making cuts. And I’m not sure what the reasoning is behing this as I am just seeing this. But these kids and families need every bit of support. This will effect major programs that has been a literal life saver for us that i wish every family with children with disabilities could benefit from- and i truly want these programs for them. Please sign and help stop cuts from happening . https://c.org/smRWyv9Ymftm - Go to my stories to click the link. #disabilityawareness #Utahkids #utahlegislature
37
2

Over the years of raising a child with disabilities in the school system…supports, resources, and opportunities increased tremendously over the time he was small to just a few years ago,...

"If he or she really goes about it in earnest, anyone can cultivate ability in ten years, I believe. Even in one year, shortcomings can be changed into good points if only we set our aims high enough. Continuing for ten years, we can become outstanding indeed...There is no limit to our shortcomings. Until we die, we should spare no time or effort in changing our weaknesses to merits. To do so can be pleasant and interesting. We can become like the horse that starts last and yet outruns the field, reaching the wire first; it is the same fun."
― Shinichi Suzuki, Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education